A Great War ‘Dunsterforce’ M.C. group of three awarded to Acting Captain E. M. Elder, Black Watch, attached North Staffordshire Regiment for service at Baku

Military Cross, G.V.R., rev. inscribed, ‘E. M. Elder, Baku, 30/8/18’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); together with Black Watch and North Staffordshire Regiment badges, extremely fine (5) £900-1000

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1918; citation listed in 4 October 1919. ‘T./Lt. Edward Medcalf Elder, R. Highrs., attd. 7th Bn. N. Staffs. R.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Stafford Hill near Baku. He captured a hill under heavy fire with small loss, and held on with pluck and determination under heavy and continuous bombardment. When eventually ordered to withdraw, he did so with great skill, suffering very few casualties, although the enemy were almost upon him. His conduct throughout was splendid’.

Edward Medcalf Elder was born on 4 March 1895 and was educated at Dean House, Daniel Stewart’s College, Edinburgh and the Univerity of Edinburgh. A Cadet with the Edinburgh University O.T.C. in October 1915, he applied for a commission in a Highland regiment and on 3 February 1916 was appointed a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Highlanders. Promoted to Temporary Lieutenant in July 1917, he was attached to the 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment in February 1918 and thence the 7th Battalion in March. The 7th Battalion was part of the ‘Dunster Force’ commanded by Major-General Lionel Dunsterville, who operated in and around Baku on the Caspian Sea during early-mid 1918. Elder won his M.C. with the 7th North Staffordshire Regiment at Baku, for an action centred around the withdrawal of 31 August 1918 following the death of his company commander. Mentioned several times in the war diaries, he was for a time commanding officer and Acting Captain of “A” Company. Following the disbandment of the 7th Battalion he was transferred to the 9th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, before being returned to the Black Watch for retirement in November 1919.

Sold with a vast quantity of copied research on both Acting Captain Edward Medcalf Elder and his brother, Temporary 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Elder, 15th Battalion, Royal Scots (K.I.A. 1 July 1916). Papers re. the former include London Gazette extracts, war diary extracts, m.i.c., officer service papers, regimental history extracts, campaign history extracts, school and university rolls of honour extracts, school sports reports, property registers, death certificate, will, and much more - very well presented.